Clinical efficacy of two manual toothbrushes on plaque and bleeding indices

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The mechanical removal of plaque by tooth brushing is the most effective way for prevention of caries and periodontal diseases. Some studies indicate that the design and shape of toothbrush could be the effective for this point. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a Classic toothbrush with a Superbrush toothbrush in controlling plaque and gingival bleeding over a 2-week period of brushing. METHODS: This study was a crossover clinical trial, involving 30 healthy individuals who were dental students of both sexes, randomly divided equally into two groups with simple method: group A (Classic Toothbrush; Soft, Tepe, Sweden) and group B (Superbrush Toothbrush; Soft, Dentaco AS, Haukeland, Norway). After taking an informed consent, the baseline O'Leary plaque index (PI) and bleeding point index (BPI) was recorded, and the subjects were given common toothpaste (Crest). A prophylaxis was performed to achieve the PI of zero and then the demonstration of Bass technique was given to each subject. Each group started the experiment with a different type of toothbrush for 1 week which followed by 1 week of wash-out. After that, each group switched to the next type of toothbrush for 1 week. All subjects had to refrain from other oral hygiene procedures for the duration of the study. The results were analyzed statistically by independent t-test and paired t-test. A statistical significance was set at the 95% confidence level (P < 0.050). RESULTS: Superbrush showed a significant reduction of both PI (P = 0.050, P < 0.050) and BPI (P = 0.001) at 7 and 14th days with respect to the baseline. The analysis revealed that the Superbrush was significantly a more effective in removing plaque as compared to the Classic toothbrush (P < 0.010), while according to the BPI, there were no statistically significant differences between the two brushes (P = 0.185, P > 0.050). CONCLUSION: The results showed the efficacy of Superbrush toothbrush in a significant reduction of PI and BPI, so it can be suggested to patients as an alternative to the Classic toothbrush.